Huwelijksaanzoek van een officier 1780

These two images are etchings by Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki. Though undated, they were likely made in the late 18th century, a time of shifting social norms. Chodowiecki lived through the Enlightenment, and his work often reflects the era's emphasis on reason and morality, but also its rigid class structures. In the left image, we see a soldier embracing a woman who seems to be resisting his advances. Her body language suggests discomfort or even fear, hinting at the power dynamics at play. How might her social standing affect her agency in this interaction? Does this encounter perpetuate or critique existing societal norms around courtship and consent? The companion image shows a similar scene with a woman being forced into a carriage against her will. These depictions make me wonder about the experiences of women during this period, and the limited control they had over their own lives and bodies.